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Sunday, 27 January 2013

Guadalajara’s Friday afternoon shootouts

A shootout on the Guadalajara-Tequila highway on Friday,
January 25, in which six people died, has been described by police as a
conflict between two criminal gangs. Which ones, however, and why they were
active on a normally tranquil highway, is anyone’s guess. There is also no
information on who was behind another Friday-afternoon shootout, this one in
downtown Guadalajara between police and alleged kidnappers. As well, the chief of police in the municipality of Tlajomulco de Zuniga near Guadalajara was gunned down in broad daylight early the same day.

Tequila's escudo: Kind, happy, and noble

Jalisco state police reported that the highway violence
occurred Friday afternoon at the 60 kilometre mark of the road that connects
Guadalajara to Tequila, a popular tourist destination. Armed individuals
apparently opened fire on men travelling in a number of vehicles.

AK-47s and grenades were deployed, and the attackers fled toward
Nayarit on the coast. In the aftermath various vehicles were left disabled by the
side of the road, including a motorcycle and a burnt-out van, which had
careened into a ravine. Three of the deceased were found on the van.

Inside the vehicles officials found several pistols and
rifles, as well as a grenade launcher.

The flight of the aggressors to Nayarit, a small coastal
state, suggests they may have been subbing for the Sinaloa Cartel, which is
active on the coast and engaged in an ongoing conflict against Los Zetas. Nueva
Generacion, however, is a sub-group of Sinaloa – this may be a fight between
splintering factions. Local “super-gangs” may also be involved.

It is unknown whether this event is connected to a shootout
that also occurred on Friday afternoon in Guadalajara’s upscale Zona Rosa neighbourhood.
Around 3 pm state police came under fire while pursuing two suspected
kidnappers travelling in a black Nissan Maxima along Lopez Cotilla.

The police succeeded in detaining two suspects, with a third
being treated after being shot. The shootout resulted in two police cars and
several other vehicles being hit with .45 calibre bullets.

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In the podcast Notes From The Underground TE Wilson discusses historical and contemporary attitudes toward crime. Each episode features a one-on-one interview that explores a unique topic. Interviewees include authors, experts, and individuals with personal experiences of crime. These podcasts were originally broadcast through the facilities of Trent Radio in Peterborough, Canada.

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